Boundries (unabridged)

Where to start? Today – what I’d been looking forward to for over a week. Exceptional day. ‘Boundries’ in Lifeskills. Becky S is fantastic – I wish they got her in more. Massage for Group Focus which was SO nice. Paired up with Katrina – that friendship is growing. Later Michael basically descided he didn’t like doing massage stuff with Mark… (some stupid blah about not being manly) and so Katie went over there and I got stuck with him. Didn’t mind, but K and I hardly got a chance to protest, it just happened. Katie did a better job.
Jess’s theory on the matter ‘they chose girls who don’t flirt’, in which case I don’t mind so much, because that shows wisdom on their behalf.

Anyway, boundries. I’d been waiting on this class.

“A boundry is something that keeps what belongs to me safe, it defines my responsibility and provides an opportunity for me to invite or decline people in.”

I’ve realised, after a conversation with ___ and one with ___ last night (well ok, more vents/rants and whatevers) that perhaps I’m taking too much gush responsiblity. Yes I did burn out that time when all the first Mon stuff came up – it was prty unique situation and understandable re: stress. Those few forced days off were the best thing. All this gush stuff although more subtle is directing me up the same alley. I will burn out if I keep taking it all on. An orchestra sounds better than a one-man-band – although that’s kind of an extreme metaphor it’s sometimes what it feels like.

I thought I was good at saying no. Maybe I need to re-evaluate and watch myself a bit more.

Galatians 6:2-5
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

aside from being minorly disgusted at my Bible’s ‘studynotes’ which focussed only on the first part and disregarded the second…
‘for each should carry his own load’ v.5 We have just as much responsibility for ourselves. We can offer support etc… but that doesn’t me we have to put down our load to carry their all. Our attitudes, our behavior and our choices are all personal responisiblities.

In looking at boundries with others – strike the balance between challenging them and not going so far as to walk over there boundries. God, I’ve been at fault before in that. Please forgive me. Help me to understand when to stop. To not ask that extra question, to leave the probing to you.

A reminder to let my own boundries be known.

God please help me to establish healthy boundries in my life – show me what and where they need to be. Help me to slow down, to be disciplined in taking time out for you and using my other time appropriately. Help me to serve where I am not consumed by the serving, to know when to say ‘no, that’s too much’. To not trample other’s boundries, but use me to challenge them. Lord bring peole into my life to effectively challenge my own ineffective or inappropriate boundries.